The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to strengthen its collaboration with the legislature in advancing justice reforms and professional standards.
Kalu made the call when he received the delegation from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) led by President Afam Osigwe (SAN), who paid him a courtesy visit at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja on Wednesday.
In a statement by his special assistant on press affairs, Udora Orizu, the deputy speaker said the legislative agenda placed the justice sector at the heart of national development. The 10th House is restoring public confidence in justice delivery through motions, bills, and oversight.
He said the ongoing alteration process was designed to be inclusive and evidence-based. He noted that the lawmakers actively sought stakeholders’ input on various justice reform bills geared toward achieving timely justice delivery, expanding court capacity, increasing remuneration, and generally improving public confidence in the judicial system.
Kalu, chairman of the House committee on Constitution Review , commended the Nigerian Bar Association for its steadfast commitment to justice, nation-building, and the defence of constitutional values.
He said: “The Nigerian Bar Association has stood for decades as the vanguard of constitutionalism and the voice of conscience in turbulent times. From the dawn of our independence to the present, the NBA has not only defended the law but has defined it, holding power accountable, preserving human rights, and nurturing public trust in the justice system.
“Today, that historic compact is more vital than ever. According to the WorldJustice Project, Nigeria ranked 120th out of 142 countries on the 2024 Rule of Law Index, the same position it held in 2023. This tells us that reform, though slow, is possible when the Bar and Parliament work together. It reminds us that the rule of law must be treated as a continuous governance discipline, not a one-off achievement.
“As one who served as a lawyer for many years before becoming a legislator, I learnt early that the strength of any democracy lies in the quality of its laws and the integrity of those who interpret them.
“As Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, I have observed that good laws do not emerge from brilliant minds alone; they are born from broad consultations, tested by experience, and refined by justice. That is why our Constitution Review process has been designed to be inclusive and evidence-based.”
